Hard Lesson Handed Out To Hearts

Last updated : 18 February 2013 By Ed_Scottishfitba

Hearts badgeA young Hearts side was taught a painful lesson on Saturday when Kilmarnock came to call and headed home with three points after a 3-0 win. Manager John McGlynn knows that this is all part of the learning experience of his young charges and he he learn a lot about his squad in how they react to the set back. Hearts were delivering decent results despite the off-the-field issues and had reached the Scottish Communities League Cup Final. 14,000 fans turned up on Saturday hoping to see another win but Kilmarnock and Paul Heffernan in particular were of a different frame of mind. Heffernan will take the plaudits for all three goals and McGlynn will have to pick up his squad for next week's home game against Inverness. 
 
McGlynn said: "
All the time with young players it is the same, it is a learning process. You have to take the bad games on the chin and get better from it. It's a lot easier in games when they're allowed the time to get the ball down in pass it. We're not going to blame the young lads for the defeat, we all have to defend our situation better, but they still have to learn from this."
 
Killie manager Kenny Shiels, while enjoying the result, was full of praise of those behind the scenes at Hearts and their insistence on bringing through young players from the academy. He said: "
I don't think Hearts get enough credit. People like John Murray (Hearts director of football), I don't think Hearts realise how lucky they are to have someone like that in the development side of the club. They know that their long-term planning is really good and I have a lot of respect for that. They want the club run the right way."
 
It was Heffernan's second hat-trick of his Killie career which helped his side to a perfect three wins from three against Hearts in the SPL this season. The striker said: "
I'm delighted to get the hat-trick. It's my job as a striker to finish the chances that are created by my team-mates and today I've done that. Although I think the distance was a combined 12 yards from the three goals. I doubt know what it is, but obviously they are a good side, but we just seem to really look forward to coming here. I can't really explain it, they are just a team we always seem to get our noses in front against."